User interface indicator for mobile device backup status

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods are provided for performing data backup of a communication device. Data backup can occur automatically or manually. A data backup status indicator is displayed on the communication device indicating the current status of the data backup. The user can select the data backup status indicator to obtain additional information about the status of the data backup service.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of, and claims priority to and thebenefit of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/741,558 filed on Apr.27, 2007 and entitled “USER INTERFACE INDICATOR FOR MOBILE DEVICE BACKUPSTATUS,” which application is hereby expressly incorporated herein bythis reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to communications systems,methods and devices. More particularly, embodiments of the inventionrelate to systems and methods for performing data backup on a mobilecommunication device and indicating the status of the data backup usinga status indicator.

RELATED TECHNOLOGY

The popularity of the Internet has given rise to a wide variety ofinformation services and devices as consumers have become accustomed toaccessing timely, personalized news and information. As a result, demandfor these types of content and services as well as the communicationdevices through which the content and services are accessed continues togrow. In addition to the growth of the content and services that can beaccessed using communication devices, cellular telephones and othercommunication devices are becoming increasingly sophisticated and offera wide variety of different services. Voice dialing, picture messaging,voice memo, speakerphone, and text-to-speech capabilities are examplesof some of the services that are found on current communication devices.

However, along with the demand for an increased number of features formobile communication devices, product manufacturers have had difficultyinforming consumers about the availability of these features and alsoeducating consumers on the benefits of using the features. Usually,features are accessible via a “menu” interface. However, even if theuser views a menu option for a certain feature, the user does notnecessarily know what function the feature performs and how the featurecan most efficiently be used. Often, features can be accessible onlyafter accessing two or three layers of menu options, and most consumersdo not take the time to peruse all of the menu options of their mobilecommunication devices. Activation of a feature may require additionalsteps such as contacting a manufacturer, purchasing additional hardware,downloading additional software, and the like, that make using aparticular feature difficult.

For example, because of the increasing number of ways in which mobilecommunication devices can be used, the amount of information containedon mobile communication devices can be quite large. Often, some usersstore all of their organizational information, such as contacts,calendar, task list, personal notes, etc., on their mobile communicationdevices so that this information can be conveniently accessed anywhere.Unfortunately, many of these users do not perform data backup or may notrealize that their mobile communication devices have the ability toperform this function. Thus, the data backup functionality of theirdevices may remain unused, leaving the valuable information susceptibleto being lost due to system crashes, theft of the mobile communicationdevice, and the like.

Furthermore, the difficulty of locating and operating data backupfeatures of mobile communication devices often prevents users frombacking up or otherwise synchronizing their data. For example, manymobile communication devices require the user to place the communicationdevice in a cradle and then push a “backup” or “sync” button to initiatebackup of data between the mobile communication device and anotherstorage device (such as a user's computer or laptop). Alternatively, thedata backup service may be located underneath various layers of menuoptions, requiring the user to go through two or more steps to initiatedata backup. In some cases, users must contact a vendor or manufacturerto subscribe to a data backup service and then download additionalsoftware. Even after the software is installed, the user is not notifiedof the status of a backup. Thus, ascertaining the status of data backupmay require multiple steps, often proving more of an inconvenience to auser, and compelling the user to choose to leave data unprotected.

BRIEF SUMMARY

These and other limitations are overcome by embodiments of theinvention, which relate to systems and methods for performing databackup and status notification of data backup, both the operation andthe notification occurring in a simple and efficient manner.

Embodiments of the invention include a data backup service located onthe communication device. The data backup service communicates with aremote storage device to back up the data from the communication deviceto the remote storage device. The data backup occurs when data on thedevice or service changes. In addition, the data backup can occurautomatically when the communication device is detected to be online.The data backup can occur over a wireless connection, which eliminatesthe need for unnecessary hardware, such as cradles or USB cords. Userscan then access their data remotely from a remote server using anysuitable browser application, including a browser application on thecommunication device.

A data backup status indicator is displayed on a display of thecommunication device that can be, in one embodiment, an interactiveticker or a graphical image. The data backup status indicator candisplay the status of data backup in varying stages. The data backupstatus indicator can also display the data backup status using varyingcolors. Other status indicators can be used, such as a graphical imageof a lock in an unlocked and locked position or in different colors,indicating the security level of the data held on the communicationdevice. Advantageously, the data backup status indicator prevents a userfrom having to search through various layers of menu options toascertain whether the communication device's data is secure. Thisminimizes the effort for a user in securing important information orbeing aware of the possibility that the user's data is not backed up.

A user can select a data backup status indicator using the communicationdevice's navigational mechanisms. Upon selection, a number of differentoptions may be presented to the user including initiating a data backupprocess, receiving a tutorial or instructions about the data backupservice, receiving a brief description of the data backup service,viewing an advertisement about the data backup service, and the like.

These and other aspects of embodiments of the present invention willbecome more fully apparent from the following description and appendedclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the manner in which the above-recited features of theinvention are obtained, a more particular description of the inventionbriefly described above will be rendered by reference to specificembodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings.Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of theinvention and are not therefore to be considered limiting of its scope,the invention will be described and explained with additionalspecificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating aspects of an exemplaryoperating environment for embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates exemplary aspects of data backup client software;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating examples of navigationmechanisms on a communication device;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method for performingdata backup and displaying a data backup status indicator; and

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating an example method for notifying auser of a status of a data backup process.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made to the drawings to describe various aspectsof exemplary embodiments of the invention. It should be understood thatthe drawings are diagrammatic and schematic representations of suchexemplary embodiments and, accordingly, are not limiting of the scope ofthe present invention, nor are the drawings necessarily drawn to scale.

In general, embodiments of the invention are concerned with performingand notifying a user of data backup processes of a communication devicesuch as a mobile communication device. Notification is achieved, in oneembodiment, by integrating notification with the native interaction ofthe device. For example, a service that backs up the contact list wouldhave the notification indicators of the backup status integrated withthe contact list application as well as the home screen of the device.

As used herein, the term “backup” refers to transmitting a copy of datato a remote location for storage, and also extends to any of a varietyof data transfer or sharing operations between a mobile device and aremote device, including synchronization (in which versions of data indifferent locations are reconciled), and sharing with third parties.Thus, the term “backup” extends to any of the foregoing operations,unless specified otherwise.

Operating Environments and Associated Devices

With particular attention now to FIG. 1, one exemplary implementation ofan operating environment, denoted generally at 100, is indicated.Although this exemplary operating environment comprises multiple typesof networks, including a cellular telephone network, 802.11 networks,Bluetooth access points, and broadcast networks such as FM radio orsatellite radio, the invention may be employed in connection with anyother type of network and associated landline or wireless communicationdevices that are effective in implementing or facilitatingcommunication.

While FIG. 1 depicts a cellular telephone and exemplary embodiments aredirected to the use of cellular telephones in conjunction with theinvention, the invention should not be construed to be limited to suchdevices. Many types of communication devices are available and aresuitable for use in conjunction with the invention, including set topboxes, cellular telephones, PDAs, smart phones, and many other devicessuitably equipped to establish communication with a network and having adisplay device such as a display screen may be used to implement themethods of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention shouldnot be construed to be limited to the exemplary operating environmentindicated in FIG. 1.

In the exemplary illustrated embodiment, the operating environment 100includes one or more mobile communication devices 101 (also referred toherein as “mobile device(s)” and/or “communication device(s)”)configured to communicate with one or more networks and/or networkelements, including base transceiver station (BTS) 102 of the cellularnetwork, short messaging service (SMS) networks 106, internet protocol(IP) network 108, FM or satellite radio broadcast network 112, 802.11wireless access points 116, and Bluetooth access point 118, or any othertype of network, combination of networks, or network connections towhich the communication device can connect and receive datatransmissions. These data transmission modes are also referred to hereinas “bearers”. One or more of these network elements or bearers may beused to transmit content to the communication device 101. Mobilecommunication device 101 is optionally further configured with tickerclient software that enables it, among other things, to communicate withticker server 120 that may be embodied, in one implementation, as aserver operating in conjunction with IP network 108. Ticker server 120may further interface with other network elements, such as a ShortMessage Service Center (SMSC) and various gateways to implement themethods of the invention.

Data Backup and Notification

Turning to FIG. 2, details are provided concerning how the presentinvention performs data backup on a communication device and notifiesthe user of the status of the data backup. FIG. 2 and the accompanyingdiscussion are presented to illustrate a suitable mobile communicationdevice and associated data backup service with which the methodsnotifying of the status of data backup can be performed. The methods fornotifying users of the status of data backup operations performed oncommunication devices can be employed in a variety of networks and witha variety of mobile communication devices, and the embodimentsillustrated in FIG. 2 are presented for purposes of illustrating theinvention.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a system 200 having a communicationdevice 101 communicating with a remote storage device 204. Data backupclient software 202 resides on communication device 101 while databackup software 205 resides on remote storage device 204. Remote storagedevice 204 can be, but is not limited to, data storage devicesassociated with servers, storage area networks (SANs), other computingdevices, and the like. In addition to performing data backup processes,the data backup software 205 enables the user to view the data on theremote storage device 204 using a suitable browser application. Thebrowser application used to access the data can reside on thecommunication device 101, itself.

The connection between the data backup client software 202 and remotestorage device 204 can be formed via wired connection or a wirelessconnection. In some situations, the communication device 101 and remotestorage device 204 can be in an “online” mode, in which the data backupclient software 202 detects and/or connects to the network 206, or an“offline” mode in which the data backup client software 202 does notcommunicate with network 206. An “offline” and an “online” communicationmode may also exist where the connection between the communicationdevice 101 and remote storage device 204 is not a network, but rather, anon-network connection, such as a USB, IR, or other connection.

The data backup client software 202 includes a data backup module 208, adiscovery module 210, and a notification module 212. The data backupclient software 202 can further communicate with a graphical userinterface 214, a data store 216 and one or more applications 218.

The data backup module 208 performs synchronization of data (e.g., indata store 216) stored on the communication device 101 with data that isstored on the remote storage device 204 and related to the communicationdevice 101. The end result of data synchronization between thecommunication device 101 and the remote storage device 204 is to provideboth devices with the most current set of data, whether that currentdata originally resided on the communication device 101 or the remotestorage device 204. For example, the user may upload or otherwiseprovide updated or new contact information to remote storage device 204.The data backup service updates the data on the communication device 101to reflect the changes made to the volume of data at the remote storagedevice 204 so that the user does not need to manually update the contactinformation on the communication device 101.

The data backup module 208 can be initiated automatically, for example,using an “automated backup” option set by the user. Alternatively, thedata backup module 208 can be initiated manually by the user. In eithercase, when the data backup module 208 detects that the communicationdevice 101 is online with the remote storage device 204, the data backupmodule commences to perform data backup and/or data synchronizationbetween communication device 101 and remote storage device 204. In oneembodiment, the data backup module 208 first determines whether asuccessful data backup has occurred in the past and whether apredetermined amount of time has passed since the previous successfuldata backup before proceeding with an automated data backup process. Thedata backup module 208 may log the progress of the data backup in datastore 216.

Notification module 212 communicates with graphical user interface 214to display a data backup status indicator on a display of thecommunication device 101. The notification module 212 determines theappropriate method of display and also the appropriate information todisplay. Selecting the method of display may include determining thedisplay methods available on the communication device 101. Such methodsmay include displaying the data backup status indicator in the form ofan interactive ticker, graphical image, and the like. Selecting theappropriate information to display includes communicating with the databackup module 208 to determine the current stage of the data backup. Forexample, the data backup status indicator can display varying stages ofthe data backup process, such as, but not limited to, “data backupinitiated,” “data backup in progress,” “data backup complete,” or “databackup incomplete” (including the reason for the incomplete databackup).

In one embodiment, the graphical user interface 214 displays the databackup status indicator via an interactive ticker. The ticker could alsodisplay the data backup status using different colors, such as “blue”for “data backup initiated,” “orange” for “data backup in progress,”“green” for “data backup complete,” or “yellow” for “data backupincomplete” or “red” for “data not backed up.” The graphical userinterface may also use other means for displaying the data backupstatus, such as a graphical image of a lock in an unlocked and lockedposition or in different colors, or using different alphanumericsymbols, indicating the security level of the data held on thecommunication device. These methods for displaying the data backupstatus will now be described in further detail.

Turning now to FIG. 3, a schematic diagram of a communication device 101and example navigation mechanisms are shown. The communication device101 includes a display 300 having various display methods. Using keys ona keypad of the communication device 101 or on a remote control deviceassociated with the communication device, soft keys, other devicebuttons and wheels, voice commands, or by moving the communicationdevice in a particular way, such as shaking it, turning it from side toside or upside down, or otherwise moving the communication device, theuser interacts with the content on display 300. For convenience, thesenavigation mechanisms are hereinafter referred to collectively as“navigation mechanism(s).” Such navigation mechanisms include, but arenot limited, to arrow keys 306, navigation wheel 312, soft keys 304 andalphanumeric keys 308 illustrated in FIG. 3.

One display method is an interactive ticker 301 located, in thisexample, at the top of the display 300 of the communication device 101.As used herein, the term “ticker” refers to a portion of a displayscreen on a communication device in which information is dynamicallydisplayed. The content displayed within the interactive ticker may alsobe referred to herein as “ticker item(s).” In other words, the tickeritems in the interactive ticker correspond to content, and some of theticker items correspond to the data backup service of the communicationdevice. In this manner, information about the data backup service of thecommunication device can be presented to the user in an interactiveticker 301 on the display of the communication device.

In FIG. 3, the ticker item #3 includes a data backup status indicator,with content indicating, for example, “Data Backup Incomplete.” This isbut one example of content that can be included in a data backup statusindicator. Including the status of the data backup service as tickeritem #3 is an unobtrusive way to alert the user that there is apotential problem with the security of the user's data. The decision todisplay a data backup status indicator in ticker 301 can also depend onwhich bearers are available to the communication device 101 at a giventime. For example, if a network is not available, the notificationmodule 212 may choose to not display a message, such as “Data Backup inProgress.” Of course, the data backup status indicator can be displayedin the ticker at any time, without regard to the presence of a network,simply to notify the user of the existence of the data backup service.

In some cases, navigating to and selecting a ticker item causes anadditional action to be performed, such as presenting supplementalinformation that expands on the subject of the ticker item, launching anapplication resident on the communication device, causing additionalcontent, applications, or services to be downloaded to the communicationdevice or accessed by the communication device, or causing any of anumber of other actions to be performed. For example, if the selectedticker item corresponds to “data backup incomplete,” additional contentmay appear describing the reasons that the data backup process did notcomplete (e.g., communication device offline). Additional details andexamples of interactive tickers with which embodiments of the presentinvention can be used are provided in U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/916,960, filed Aug. 11, 2004, which is incorporated herein byreference.

In another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the notification module 212renders the data backup status indicator in the form of a graphicalimage 314. Typically, only one data backup status indicator is displayedon the display 300 at any one time. However, for purposes of describingthe present invention, multiple data backup status indicators aredisplayed to illustrate the various ways in which they can be displayed.

The graphical image 314 is any pictorial or alphanumeric symbol thatsuitably conveys information about the data backup service. In theexample of FIG. 3, an image of a lock in an “unlocked mode” 314A isflashed on the display 300 to communicate the message, “unsecure” or“data not backed up.” In another example, an image of an octagon 314Bmay be displayed in the color red (indicated by shading) to indicatethat the data backup service is unused. As such, the data backup statusindicator may implement a combination of graphical images and/or colors.The graphical images can be navigated and selected in the same manner asthe ticker items described herein.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a method for performing data backup ofa communication device and a remote storage device and notifying a userof a status of the data backup. At 402, the data backup module 208identifies a connection between a communication device 101 and a remotestorage device 204. In one embodiment, the connection between thecommunication device 101 and the remote storage device 204 is a wirelessconnection. The connection can be via a network connection 206 or anon-network connection.

If the connection is available, at 404, the data backup module 208initiates data backup of data located on the communication device 101with data located on the remote storage device 204. In one embodiment,the data backup occurs automatically without requiring a user tomanually initiate the data backup. In one embodiment, the data backup isperformed after a predetermined period of time has passed since aprevious successful data backup.

At 406, the notification module 212 automatically displays a data backupstatus indicator on a display 300 of the communication device 101. Asmentioned above, the notification module 212 can display differentstages of the data backup. For example, the different stages can be anyone of the initiation of the data backup, the progress of the databackup, the completion of the data backup, the incompletion of the databackup, and the like. In one embodiment, the different stages of databackup can be displayed using different colors. The status of the databackup can be displayed on any suitable area of the graphical userinterface 214, such as, but not limited to, an interactive ticker, usinga graphical image, and the like.

At 408, the communication device 101 may receive a selection from a userto select the data backup status indicator. At 410, receipt of theselection may initiate additional information relating to the status ofthe data backup to appear on the display 300, such as a briefdescription of the status of the data backup or a tutorial related tothe data backup service.

The present invention also contemplates the situation where the displayof the data backup status indicator is not necessarily tied to a currentdata backup process. That is, display of the data backup statusindicator can occur at any time. An exemplary method of this embodimentis illustrated in FIG. 5 which illustrates a method for notifying a userof a status of a data backup process.

At 502, the notification module 212 identifies a current status of adata backup process on a mobile communication device. For example, thecurrent status can be selected from at least one of data backup notinitiated, data backup initiated, data backup in progress, data backupcomplete, data backup incomplete, and the like.

At 504, the notification module 212 initiates automatically displaying afirst data backup status indicator on a display 300 of the mobilecommunication device 101, the first data backup status indicatoridentifying the current status of the data backup process. Note that thecurrent status can consider situations where a data backup process isoccurring or where a data backup process is not occurring.

At 506, subsequent to the display of the first data backup process, thedata backup module 208 may initiate a first or subsequent data backupprocess. This can include identifying a connection between a mobilecommunication device and a remote storage device and performing databackup of data located on the mobile communication device with datalocated on the remote storage device. If the first data backup statusindicator is displayed while a data backup process is occurring, thedata backup module 208 may wait to perform the subsequent data backupprocess until after a predetermined period of time has passed sincedisplaying the first data backup status indicator.

At 508, the notification module 212 updates the current status of thedata backup process. At 510, the notification module 212 initiatesautomatically displaying a second data backup status indicator on thedisplay of the mobile communication device, the second data backupstatus indicator identifying the updated current status of the databackup process. This can include either updating the content or color ofthe first data backup status indicator. Alternatively, this can includedisplaying an entirely new data backup status indicator. As discussedabove, the first and second data backup status indicators can includeany of the above display features.

Thus, the present invention provides efficient systems and methods forperforming data backup, which can occur behind the scenes without theuser being required to initiate the backup. Heretofore, users havegenerally been required to affirmatively perform some action to initiatedata backup. Thus, users can be more assured of the security of dataheld on mobile devices by performing automatic data backup without theuser's specific request to do so. Furthermore, enabling users toinitiate data backup via a data backup status indicator (e.g., a tickeritem or graphical image) that is readily viewable on the display of themobile device greatly increases the ability of users to secure theirdata rather than having to navigate through various menu options tolocate the data backup functionality.

The present invention also provides notification regarding the status ofthe data backup for communication devices via a data backup statusindicator displayed on the display of the mobile device (e.g., a tickeritem or graphical image). Heretofore, unless the user affirmativelyrequested a data backup, the user was not always aware of whether thedata on the mobile device was secure. In one preferred embodiment, wherethe data backup occurs automatically without the user's notice,providing a data backup status indicator apprises the user of whetherthe data on the communication device is backed up (i.e., safe) or not.The data backup status indicator keeps the user readily apprised of thestate of the data backup by indicating various stages in which the databackup process may be. This saves the user time in searching throughvarious layers of menu options to ascertain whether the communicationdevice's data is secure. Furthermore, where a data backup is for somereason incomplete, the data backup status indicator alerts the user andprovides a simple mechanism for obtaining additional information aboutthe state of the data backup (e.g., selecting the ticker item or thegraphical item with a single click).

Telecommunication Devices and Computing Environments

Embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in connectionwith a special purpose or general purpose telecommunications device,including wireless telephones and other telephony-enabled wirelessdevices, landline telephones, or special purpose or general purposecomputers that are adapted to have telecommunications or data networkingcapabilities such as cable set top boxes or PCs. Embodiments within thescope of the present invention also include computer-readable media forcarrying or having computer-executable instructions or electroniccontent structures stored thereon, and these terms are defined to extendto any such media or instructions that are used with telecommunicationsdevices.

By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media cancomprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage,magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any othermedium which can be used to carry or store desired program code in theform of computer-executable instructions or electronic contentstructures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or specialpurpose computer, or other computing device.

When information is transferred or provided over a network or anothercommunications connection (either hardwired, wireless, or a combinationof hardwired and wireless) to a computer or computing device, thecomputer or computing device properly views the connection as acomputer-readable medium. Thus, any such a connection is properly termeda computer-readable medium. Combinations of the above should also beincluded within the scope of computer-readable media.Computer-executable instructions comprise, for example, instructions andcontent which cause a general purpose computer, special purposecomputer, special purpose processing device or computing device toperform a certain function or group of functions.

Although not required, aspects of the invention have been describedherein in the general context of computer-executable instructions, suchas program modules, being executed by computers in network environments.Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects,components, and content structures that perform particular tasks orimplement particular abstract content types. Computer-executableinstructions, associated content structures, and program modulesrepresent examples of program code for executing aspects of the methodsdisclosed herein.

The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only asexemplary and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore,indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription. All changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

1. A mobile computing device comprising: a processor; a display device;and a storage device configured to store a plurality of graphicalindicators for notifying a user of the mobile computing device of thebackup status of data on the mobile computing device; the mobilecomputing device being configured to perform the following: determinethat at least a portion of the data stored on the mobile computingdevice has not been backed up; in response to the determination, selecta first graphical indicator from among the plurality of graphicalindicators, the first graphical indicator representing that at least aportion of the data stored on the mobile computing device has not beenbacked up; automatically display the first graphical indicator on thedisplay device of the mobile computing device to indicate to the user ofthe mobile computing device that at least some of the data on the mobilecomputing device has not been backed up; subsequent to displaying thefirst graphical indicator on the display device of the mobile computingdevice, determine that the data stored on the mobile computing devicehas been backed up; in response to the determination, select a secondgraphical indicator from among the plurality of graphical indicators,the second graphical indicator representing that the data stored on themobile computing device has been backed up; and automatically displaythe second graphical indicator on the display device of the mobilecomputing device in place of the first graphical indicator to indicateto the user that the data on the mobile computing device has been backedup.
 2. The mobile computing device of claim 1, wherein the mobilecomputing device is further comprised to perform the following: whilethe first indicator is being displayed, determine that a backup of thedata stored on the mobile computing device is currently being performed;in response to the determination, select a third indicator from amongthe plurality of graphical indicators, the third graphical indicatorrepresenting that a backup of the data stored on the mobile computingdevice is currently being performed; and automatically display the thirdgraphical indicator on the display device of the mobile computing devicein place of the first graphical indicator to indicate to the user that abackup of the data is currently being performed.
 3. The mobile computingdevice of claim 1, wherein the mobile computing device is furthercomprised to perform the following: while the first graphical indicatoris being displayed, receive user input that selects the first graphicalindicator; and in response, display an option to the user to initiate abackup of the data stored on the mobile computing device.
 4. The mobilecomputing device of claim 1, wherein the mobile computing device isfurther comprised to perform the following: receive user input thatselects the option; and initiate a backup of the data stored on themobile computing device.
 5. The mobile computing device of claim 1,wherein the first indicator is a lock that is in an unlocked position,and the second indicator is a lock that is in a locked position.
 6. Themobile computing device of claim 1, wherein the first and secondindicators have a similar shape but are different colors.
 7. The mobilecomputing device of claim 1, wherein the first and second indicators aredisplayed within a ticker on the display device.
 8. A mobile computingdevice comprising: a processor; a display device; and a storage deviceconfigured to store a plurality of graphical indicators for notifying auser of the mobile computing device of the backup status of data on themobile computing device; the mobile computing device being configured toperform the following: determine that at least a portion of the datastored on the mobile computing device has not been backed up; inresponse to the determination, select a first graphical indicator fromamong a plurality of graphical indicators, the first graphical indicatorrepresenting that at least a portion of the data stored on the mobilecomputing device has not been backed up; automatically display the firstgraphical indicator on the display device of the mobile computing deviceto indicate to the user of the mobile computing device that at leastsome of the data on the mobile computing device has not been backed up;while the first graphical indicator is being displayed, receive userinput that selects the first graphical indicator; in response to theuser input, display to the user an option to initiate a backup of thedata stored on the mobile computing device; receive further user inputthat selects the option; in response to the further user input: initiatea backup of the data stored on the mobile computing device; select asecond graphical indicator from among the plurality of graphicalindicators, the second graphical indicator representing that a backup ofthe data is currently being performed; and display the second indicatoron the display device in place of the first indicator to indicate to theuser that the backup of the data is currently being performed; determinethat the backup of the data has been completed; in response to thedetermination, select a third graphical indicator from among theplurality of graphical indicators, the third graphical indicatorrepresenting that the data stored on the mobile computing device hasbeen backed up; and automatically display the third graphical indicatoron the display device of the mobile computing device in place of thesecond graphical indicator to indicate to the user that the data on themobile computing device has been backed up.
 9. The mobile computingdevice of claim 8, wherein the first, second, and third indicators are asimilar shape, but are each a different color.
 10. The mobile computingdevice of claim 8, wherein the first, second, and third indicators aredisplayed within a ticker on the display device.
 11. The mobilecomputing device of claim 8, wherein the first indicator is a lock thatis in an unlocked position, and the third indicator is a lock that is ina locked position.